Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, blocked the Ile-Ife-Ibadan expressway on Thursday to protest the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other trade unions.
The protesters, under the platform of “End ASUU Strike Coalition,” said the protest would continue until the Nigerian government and the striking workers end their dispute and reopen the universities.
In some of the video clips seen on Thursday morning, the protesting students said they were not afraid of the security operatives, and threatened to remain on the road until the universities are reopened.
They expressed their frustration over the continued strike by the workers, adding that they were disappointed that politicians were showing more interest in the 2023 general elections rather than looking into the ongoing plight of students, who are the most affected by the ASUU strike.
In the video, one of the protesters said, “You have money to obtain electoral forms but no time to open our schools, and you think all will be well with you all?”.
Another, who spoke in Yoruba Language, said; “This is Osun and not Lagos, no soldier or policeman can kill us here. Let them come and meet us here.”